In Entertainment

Top Stories

NEW YORK, N.Y. - A day after Trevor Noah was declared the new host of "The Daily Show," his graphic tweets targeting women and Jews are causing a social media backlash and Comedy Central is defending ...

In Opinion

Viewpoints

Viaduct closure will lead to more pollution from idling cars
Isn’t it interesting: It is OK to close the Georgia Viaduct, causing traffic congestion and increasing greenhouse gas emissions to film a movie...

In Health

Top Stories

Health Canada says stronger warnings about the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviours are being added to prescribing information for all drugs used to manage attention deficit hyperactivity disorder...

Mountie Cpl. Monty Robinson charged in 2008 fatal motorcycle crash

This family photo shows Orion Hutchinson, 21, who died after his motorcycle collided with a Jeep in Delta in October 2008.

Photograph by: Handout
, The Province

RCMP Cpl. Benjamin Monty Robinson has been charged with obstructing justice in connection with a fatal crash in Delta last fall.

The charge was entered in provincial court in Surrey Tuesday.

Orion Hutchinson, 21, died after his motorcycle collided with a Jeep in Tsawwassen in October 2008. It is alleged that Robinson, who was off duty at the time, was driving the Jeep.

Hutchinson died minutes after being thrown from the motorcycle. At the time, police said Robinson had failed a breathalyzer test.

Delta police in June recommended charges of impaired and dangerous driving causing death against an RCMP officer in a 2008 crash.

According to a news release from the Criminal Justice Branch of the Ministry of Attorney General, senior prosecutors have concluded that the available evidence does not establish to the criminal standard of proof beyond a reasonable doubt, that at the time of the collision Robinson had a blood alcohol level over the legal limit, that his ability to operate a motor vehicle was impaired by alcohol or that he was operating his vehicle in a dangerous manner within the meaning of the Criminal Code.

The charge of attempting to obstruct justice is based on alleged actions of Robinson on Oct. 25, 2008 after the collision.

"Because it is before the courts, I can't say much beyond media statement," Crown spokesman Neil MacKenzie said Tuesday afternoon.

Robinson, in a bid to get his driver's licence returned, told a B.C. Supreme Court in March that he had two stiff drinks at home before returning to the scene of the accident, which caused him to fail a breathalyzer.

The court refused to return Robinson's licence, rejecting his version of events.

Robinson has been suspended with pay from the RCMP since Oct. 28, 2008.

Robinson was also one of four officers involved in the October 2007 Tasering death of Polish immigrant Robert Dziekanski at Vancouver airport.

He is scheduled to appear in Surrey Provincial Court on the obstruction charge next on Dec. 8.